The Pickled Pig Kitchen elevates Two Doors Down bar
Those of you who read last week’s review of CM Chicken and Whit’s Frozen Custard may recall that day being not only the first time I reviewed restaurants for both lunch and dinner on the same day but also the first time I racked up three different eateries in a single day. My third and final stop was at the Pickled Pig Kitchen in downtown Maryville, where The Grub Spouse and I had dinner on our way to an evening event at the Clayton Center for the Arts at Maryville College.
The Pickled Pig operates out of Two Doors Down, a bar that’s been on Broadway since 2007. The last time I was there, about 15 years ago, it was a smoky dive that had live music but absolutely zero curb appeal. In the last couple of years, however, the owners have really spiffed things up, giving the place an aesthetic overhaul, beefing up their entertainment options and offering food service courtesy of the Pickled Pig Kitchen.
The place made a much better visual first impression this time. They’ve really updated the interior, adding thematic wall décor, multiple TV screens and colorful lighting that gives the bar and dining areas lots of splash. We took our pick of a high-top table near the bar and reviewed our food options.
Appetizers include familiar pub-grub faves like cheese curds, chicken tenders, Tennessee tots (with cheddar and bacon pieces), several wing varieties, loaded potato skins and more. I decided to try one of their street tacos as a starter of sorts. I got the Southwest beef taco ($4), made with seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, red peppers, onions, jalapeños, cheddar, lettuce, tomato and sour cream.
Main-course categories include hot dogs, nachos, salads, flatbread pizzas and signature entrees like pan-fried pork chops, Frito pie casserole, BBQ pork mac casserole and chipotle sloppy Joe sliders. The Spouse ordered from the sandwich section, which features smoked bologna, pimento pork grilled cheese and a hickory steak Philly hoagie. The Spouse got a meatloaf sandwich ($9). It’s made with ground beef, red bell peppers and onions and has a bacon jam glaze on the bread slices. It comes with one side, and